My chickens don't like me.

[PrincessChicky]

Boo-hoo.

When I go to visit my 3 hens, they avoid me. Two will come to me and eat from my hand if I have treats, but the other (I'm sure) thinks I'm the big bad wolf.

I've tried treats (all they want is bread, meal worms and crickets- produce scraps are only fly food out there), I've tried not chasing them, going out to visit with them at sunset when they've calmed down for the night. Nothing works.

I'd like for them to be more tame so I can wrangle them into their coop without freaking them out. Now they literally run for their lives as I try to get them into their coop after a few hours of foraging.

I got these ladies about 4-5 weeks ago and they're about 11-12 weeks old now. What else can I try to win them over? I want so badly for them to come sit on my lap and be sweet with me but they resist!!

 

[devora]

If you don't have a roo, wait until they start to squat. When they do, pick them up and hold them a minute or three. They will get used to having you close.

Also, keep bribing them w/ food. Chickens will do just about anything for food. Even play the piano.

 

[PrincessChicky]

Nope, no roos here. Wait until they squat, like to lay down? If they see me coming, they jump up and hustle away.

I'll keep bringing them food and see how that goes. I go visit them outside every day, so they should be used to me by now, I'd think. Sheesh, these ladies are a really tough crowd!

 

[devora]

When they are old enough to lay they will squat for you b/c they will think you are the rooster. It's adorable. Body down, wings lifted, bottom up...all ready to be taken.

Only there's no roo, so it's your job.

You'll be able to pick them up when they do this.

Yeah, they can be a tough crowd. Ya think, "Hey, I've got food, come sit on my lap" and they walk away, dashing all hopes. My girls have rejected me often. The years of therapy wasted...

 

[ChickNhood]

My hens come running to me when I let my 2 kids out...other then that they steer clear...my son 2 thinks he is helping by swinging the poulgry hook at them...sure it helps cause they run for their lives but pretty sure its startimg to spook them out of egg production so hes cut off from the backyard!

 

[3LilBirds]

It can take some time. I know my Pattie whom I got when she was 1 month and is now 4 months still isn't fond of me but the other two I got have warmed up. Then again, Pattie has an attitude... lol I do bribe them with lots of treats, so far their favorite is bananas and oats.

 

[hecatesmoon]

I doubt that your chickens don't like you. I'm a newbie keeper, but as I see it with mine, they can like you just fine but still not want to be handled. I got some chickens as adults. They come running and I almost step on them when I go into the run because they are right under my feet. They will come very near if I am crouched down...but I cannot touch. They just don't want to be touched. I have chicks. They all know I am the food keeper, should all be used to me, but most of them don't want to be handled. I can put my hand in the brooder and they are happy to come up and inspect and peck at my fingers, just don't like being petted or held. There are a few, some orpingtons, that seem very eager for me to handle them though. Its not liking or disliking you. Its just the chicken's personality or the typical personality of the particular breed.

 

[PrincessChicky]

When they are old enough to lay they will squat for you b/c they will think you are the rooster. It's adorable. Body down, wings lifted, bottom up...all ready to be taken.

Only there's no roo, so it's your job.

You'll be able to pick them up when they do this.

Yeah, they can be a tough crowd. Ya think, "Hey, I've got food, come sit on my lap" and they walk away, dashing all hopes. My girls have rejected me often. The years of therapy wasted...

I'll keep an eye out for this behavior. I don't think my fragile psyche can handle the constant rejection from my lady hens.

 

[jamesbwood]

The challenge with mine is walking anywhere near them as they are always underfoot hoping for food. They will actually chase me around the yard hoping I either have food or can lead them to a good spot for bugs - sometimes I do. These birds were handeled a lot by the person I purchased them from and I continue to do so when I can so they are used to it. They don't exactly like to be picked up but the settle down after a few seconds.

If you keep feeding them that should help.

 

[Fur & Feathers]

dont approach them,go nearby and sit down so are not so overpowering to them,have some treats on hand-dried meal worms are a treat they woud usualy drool over.
let them approach,dont make any fast movement,perhaps sit there legs crossed looking the other way with food item in an open hand on their level.
this is a good way to build up trust with many animals,it allows them to see that their human isnt a huge monster but a ready and waiting slave for their every need and want.

it had worked with mine [adults from an awful ex bat existance],spent along time doing the above with them and it was very sucessful with ethel and henny,had originaly adapted what the famous cat behavioralist-vicky halls had told the sis to do with cats she rescued a few years ago[the mum has very severe feline hyperathesia disorder from long term abuse & neglect and the other is her kitten who picked up her mums fear/hatred of people-though the now very overgrown kitten loves socialising she is just a bit shy with stress triggered ocd].
another thing that woud also recommend to some people-depending on how well they can mimick,is to learn the chicken lingo-get to know what their sounds mean and talk to them.
am both non verbal and speech impaired due to autism and the strongest verbal abilty have got is speaking to animals-perfectly mimicking their sounds,for much of the night will sit here chatting to the chicks,and will always have a chat with henny when going outside.